New challenges for livestock research and production in Asia

The economic turmoil in South-east Asia has had catastrophic effects on the agriculture of the region and has led to widespread famine. Intensive anim al production systems have suffered worst because of their almost total rel iance on expensive imports of feedstocks. Small integrated farms have fared better, and they should be seen as the model for the agricultural producti on of the future. Research should be aimed at the support of small farmers, and their use of local feed resources, as well as animals and production s ystems suited to the locality.